VirginiaSB4532026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Intentional discharge of untreated sewage onto land or into waters of the Commonwealth; penalty.

Sponsored By: Richard H. Stuart (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Intentional discharge of untreated sewage onto land or into waters of the Commonwealth; civil penalty. Establishes a maximum civil penalty of $50,000 per violation for any person found to have intentionally discharged untreated sewage onto land or into waters of the Commonwealth.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

Fines for sewage system violations

If you do not fix a violation within 30 days after notice, the Department can issue civil penalties. The first charge can be up to $100 and each additional charge up to $150 per day, with no more than one charge in any 10‑day period for the same facts and a $3,000 cap for a related 10‑day series. Penalties go to the Environmental Health Education and Training Fund, and the Department can issue civil summonses. Owners who violate the law, regulations, or orders face penalties under state law. If a city or county owns the system, it can sue a user to recover the part of any penalty caused by that user’s violation.

Upkeep rules for alternative systems

The Board of Health oversees onsite and alternative sewage systems and requires regular inspections. The Board can require long‑term maintenance contracts as a condition of a permit. It writes the maintenance rules owners and operators must follow. Licensed operators must file site‑visit reports in a statewide web system and pay $1 each time a report is filed.

No dumping sewage; $50,000 fines

The law bans dumping untreated sewage on land or into Virginia waters. Anyone who intentionally discharges untreated sewage faces a civil penalty of up to $50,000 for each violation. This protects water quality and public health across the state.

Pump-out enforcement in Bay counties

Beginning July 1, 2023, the Department enforces pump‑out rules tied to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act in Accomack, Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties and their towns. Licensed operators in those areas must report results using the Department’s web system. Breaking the pump‑out rules there is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Permits and fees for home sewage

You must get a permit before you build, change, or run a sewerage system. Most permit applications cost $75, and $10 of each fee goes to the Onsite Sewage Indemnification Fund. Alternative discharging systems also pay $75 for required installation or monitoring inspections, with $10 to the same fund. Low‑income applicants can get fee waivers, and repairs or pit privies can be waived. If your permit is denied for land where you planned your main home, your application fee is refunded. The Board can issue a site-suitability letter within 20 working days when you submit a licensed soil evaluation; you still pay the Board’s letter fee and the permit fee when you apply. The Department may require a survey plat, and the landowner is responsible for placing the system where the permit allows.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Richard H. Stuart

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 283 • No: 0

House vote 3/5/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 95 • No: 0

House vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/25/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading)

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0946)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 946 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026Senate
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  6. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB453)

    3/11/2026Senate
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB453ER)

    3/11/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    3/11/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    3/11/2026Senate
  10. Passed House Block Vote (95-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026House
  11. Read third time

    3/5/2026House
  12. Read second time

    3/4/2026House
  13. Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

    3/2/2026House
  14. Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources

    2/26/2026House
  15. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB453)

    2/25/2026Senate
  16. Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

    2/25/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

    2/18/2026House
  18. Read first time

    2/18/2026House
  19. Placed on Calendar

    2/18/2026House
  20. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB453)

    2/13/2026Senate
  21. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/13/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/13/2026Senate
  23. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

    2/13/2026Senate
  24. Rules suspended

    2/13/2026Senate
  25. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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